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Olsson wants strong finish from West Brom

Jonas Olsson says West Brom must finish in the top eight in the Premier League to attract players and maintain the club's recent progress.

The club are currently eighth on the table under manager Steve Clarke, having finished 11th and 10th in the previous two seasons under Roy Hodgson.

And Olsson wants them to finish the season strongly.

"We've had a good season and want to stay top six, seven or eight," the Sweden international said.

"It's important to see the club going in the right direction and progressing every year. We've done so for the last three or four years, and it is easier to attract players."

Top-scorer Romelu Lukaku is set to return to Chelsea at the end of the season and Olsson feels he will be missed.

"Romelu has been massive for us. It's not realistic to think we keep him," he said.

"Scoring 13 goals for a club like West Brom, with all respect, is a great achievement. He'll be difficult to replace but that's the challenge."

The centre-back himself was targeted by QPR in January's transfer window, but went on to explain his commitment to the club.

"I never had to consider it QPR's bid because West Brom turned it down," he said.

"It's not something I've thought about. My focus has been on West Brom all season. I hopefully have a lot of years ahead and I have no rush. I'm enjoying where the team is going and I enjoy working under this management team."

He also backed the club's strategy in the transfer market.

"We have a good scouting team and are able to pick up good players on free transfers or for quite cheap money," he added.

"We have to keep with the model we have been doing, strengthening the team every season, keeping the players we have. It's up to the board to see what they can do to push the club even further, whether that be spending more money, I don't know. It's for them to decide.

"We are just focusing on doing the best we can on the pitch and getting the best out of every player and we have done that for big parts of the season."